Disturbing The Peace Podcast

Please help keep this podcast going by becoming a member at patreon.com/tortoiseshack You might have seen the series, Stories from the Streets, on Virgin Media TV recently. Well the writer and director, Luke McManus and one of the stars of episode 3, homeless rapper, Tommy KD, came over to the tortoise shack to tell us all about it. Tommy recounts his own journey through addiction, sleeping rough and finding peace in art. He shares candidly about his years on the streets and the relationships he had and what resilience means. Luke describes how the focus of a show like this is to break that dehumanising idea about homeless people and why we must all look beyond the strereotypes. We also had a lot of fun!

It may be episode 2, but it's the first guest! Hosts Sam McIlwaine and Gareth Mulvenna are joined by the Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, and MLA, Robbie Butler. Robbie discusses his working class roots, growing up in Loyalist housing estates and his uncomfortable personal relationship in owning the label 'loyalist'. He chats about the NI Protocol and the mental health crisis that Northern Ireland is struggling with whilst having no real functioning devolved government. (Note: We open with a chat on the latest news around NI and the interview with Robbie starts at about 10 mins) Please support this podcast by joining us at ptreon.com/tortoiseshack

It was a pleasure to be joined by Dublin Inquirer Reporter, Shamim Malekmian, Barrister & Human Rights Activist, Séana Grant and the Political Poll Boss, Harry McEvansoneya for a run through the week that was. We covered the unjust treatment of migrant workers, that abhorrent song, the latest political polls, the continued attacks on LGBTQ rights, Ukraine, the Queen in the SINDO, some things to look out for next week and why our booming economy isn't lifting the wider society. To attend these regular live shows and get lots of exclusive content join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Our guest in the tortoise shack is Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle. Thomas tells us about his Bill to implement the UN International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which he is bringing to the floor of the Dáil tomorrow. That Ireland hasn't implemented this already is wrong. That several TD's who supported it last year when in opposition look set to oppose it tomorrow is a stain on our democracy. We discuss the need for the Bill, how it would help to begin leveling the playing field for many communities and the reasons the State are dragging their feet. We think this is an important listen. There is also a petition for the Bill that we'd ask you to sign and share HERE. Support Us at Patreon

CONTENT WARNING: This podcast contains references to sexual assault.Transpeople have had to deal with a lot of shit over the past few years. The row over self-identification in England and Wales has led to a surge in transphobia in Ireland too. With JK Rowling being the latest British "feminist" to add her voice to the debate, it seems that trans people are the victims of the arguments that were made against giving LGBTQ+ people their rights 30 years ago. So why is this happening now and how do we stop it happening in Ireland? Joining Rachel on the pod to discuss it all is activist Aoife Martin.Become a DTP patron. 

It's long been asked why female participation in sport drops off in their teenage years compared to men. There is a multitude of answers but one of the main ones could be the perceived lack of female role models in sport and sports writing. Emma Duffy is one of these role models. An avid sports fan, she spends her days working for the 42 and her night's training or watching sport. She joins Rachel on the pod to chat about her love of sports, her love of her job and why you should never be afraid to mix it with the lads.Sign up to the 42 here.Follow Emma on Twitter.Become a DTP patron.

The way we consume our news has been changed forever by the introduction of the internet and social media. The most obvious example of this is Twitter where thousands and people can now follow their favourite journalists from across the world. One of the more popular Irish journalists is Virgin Media's Richard Chambers. He joins Rachel to discuss how Twitter has changed the way news is reported, the advantages and disadvantages of being so accessible to people and his "rivalry" with Gavan Reilly. Follow Richard on Twitter.Become a DTP Patron.

Having a new baby is exciting and stressful at the best of times, nevermind in the midst of a global pandemic and lockdown. Things have changed for parents of newborns in a number of ways with grandparents having to keep their distance from their new grandchildren. So what's that been like for parents? Writer and terrible-take machine Steve O'Rourke returns to DTP to fill Rachel in on how the last few months have been for himself and his family with the arrival of his new son.Follow Steve on Twitter.Become a DTP Patron.

COVID has decimated the Irish arts scene with the cancellation of live performances until further notice. With no end in sight, the precarious industry now faces a battle for survival with artists having to find new ways to make a living. So how is the Irish music scene going to survive and what will it look like going forward? Joining Rachel to attempt to answer these questions as well as to set out the stall for why there are enough men with acoustic guitars in the Irish music scene is producer and singer Semi Olusa.You can find Semi's music here.Become a DTP patron.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder affects around 2% of the Irish population yet very little is understood about it. Its causes are unknown yet its effects are extremely real. Yet often, we only see the "neat freak" symptoms portrayed in popular culture rather than the debilitating intrusive thoughts that can overpower the sufferer on any given day. Journalist David Monaghan is one of these people who deals with OCD on a daily basis. He joins Rachel to discuss his diagnosis, his coping mechanisms and how something as simple as trying to learn a Green Day song on guitar can set off an avalanche of intrusive thoughts that are completely uncontrollable. Follow David on Twitter.Become a DTP patron. 

It's safe to say that the Green Party haven't exactly impressed in their opening few weeks in the new government. Not only have they been dealing with criticism from the public, but criticism has been pretty forthcoming from within the party too. One of the more vocal critics is co-chair of the Just Transition Greens and Green Party Councillor, Lorna Bogue. She joins Rachel to discuss her issues with the programme for government, her experience in the Green Party and her vision for an Ireland that serves everyone.Follow Lorna on Twitter.Become a DTP Patron!  

Psychosis is possibly one of the most stigmatised elements of mental illness. Defined as a condition that affects the way your brain processes information causing you to lose touch with reality, psychosis hasn't always been portrayed kindly in pop culture, strengthening the stigma surrounding it. My guest today is Caoimhe who joins me to discuss her experience of psychosis and recount the tale of her believing the world was controlled by demons as well as the stigma she has grown up with due to her condition. Because of this she has requested that I only use her first name. Support DTP on Patreon!

Body positivity is defined as a social movement rooted in the belief that all human beings should have a positive body image, while challenging the ways in which society presents and views the physical body. The movement advocates the acceptance of all bodies regardless of physical ability, size, gender, race, or appearance. So why is fatphobia so prevalent in our society? Body positivity activist Ilaina Khairulzaman joins Rachel to discuss the assumptions people make about her as a size 22, why saying that you love your body can be seen as radical and why diets are only setting you up to fail.Follow Ilaina on Twitter.Support DTP on Patreon!

COVID 19 has been a tough time for all industries but journalism in particular has suffered greatly. Falling advertising revenues and increased workloads mean journalists are more stretched than ever in an industry that is becoming increasingly precarious. One of these journalists is Joe.ie's Rob O'Hanrahan who has gone from covering the 6 Nations to covering the nightly press briefings with Dr. Tony Holohan. It's all a bit wild when you consider he only left his teaching job a year ago. He joins Rachel to discuss what the past few months have been like for him as well as his impression of the new government. Support DTP on Patreon! Follow Rob on Twitter.

Data privacy will never be the sexiest topic to discuss but it is probably one of the most important. A recent ruling in the European Court of Justice has found that the US equivalent of GDPR known as Privacy Shield isn't up to European law standards. While the short term effects of this ruling are hard to find, the long term consequences of this ruling are extremely important. So important that Rachel felt she'd better get an expert on to talk about it. So who better than Director of Data Compliance Europe, Simon McGarr? Become a patron - visit www.patreon.com/dtppodFollow Simon on Twitter.

This Reboot Republic Podcast is with Sinn Féin TD for Galway West/South Mayo, Mairéad Farrell. We discuss the accommodation crisis beyond Dublin and other urban areas, generation rent and how the Left needs to have a conversation about the needs of those who live outside the main cities. We also discuss Sinn Féin's role in opposition and the need for the Covid-19 emergency measures of rent freezes and eviction bans to be extended a lot longer than the few more weeks proposed by the new government. Join us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

When it comes to disability rights, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Health? Housing? Transport? What about the right to go out and have a few pints and dance with your mates? It's not the first thing that springs to mind but being able to go out on the lash or on the sesh is something that able-bodied people take for granted, never wondering if the club they're going to has accessible toilets or even if they can get in at all. Alannah Murray has been a wheelchair user since she was 10 and knows what it's like to miss out on bonding experiences because somewhere isn't accessible. She joins Rachel to discuss her experience as well as asking why people seem to forget that people with disabilities want to go out just as much as anyone else.Become a patron - visit www.patreon.com/dtppodFollow Alannah on Twitter.

In 2007, Swiss student Manuela Riedo was raped and murdered in Galway city. Her murder shocked the country and to remember her, her parents set up the Manuela Riedo Foundation which was set up to provide funding to professional agencies working in the areas of Prevention, Awareness, Education and Healing of sexual assault and rape. One of those agencies was the Manuela Programme, a pilot sex education given in 46 schools. One of the facilitators of the programme Kevin McParland joins Rachel to discuss the merits of the programme and the changes he believes are necessary to revamp our sex education programme.Become a patron - visit www.patreon.com/dtppodFollow Kevin on Twitter.

Disturbing the Peace is no longer part of Tortoise Shack Media. I'm starting a new adventure and hoping you'll join me. You can find the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/dtppod. 

1 in 10 Irish women are affected by endometriosis in Ireland yet it can take anywhere up to 10 years to get a diagnosis. This leaves the woman suffering in pain for years on end and oftentimes, doctors and GPs may not even believe that the pain is as bad as it is. Social Democrats Councillor Carly Bailey is just one of these women. She joins Rachel on the podcast to discuss why there's a need for a specialised centre for endometriosis in Ireland, the amount of pain and procedure she had to go through to get a diagnosis and why there is a big problem in Ireland with reproductive and gynaecological care.Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshackFollow Carly on Twitter.You can find the Endometriosis Association of Ireland on Twitter or on their website.

Ireland has a wonderful history of banning books. In fact we banned over 12,000 of them throughout our history. Some were banned for very good reason, while others were banned for mentioning divorce. Historian Dr Aoife Bhreatnach decided that this would be a great topic for a podcast and so the Censored Pod was born. She joins Rachel to discuss what led her to start the podcast, where her love for reading banned books came from and why Ireland loved banning books so very much.You can find the Censored podcast HERE.Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshackFollow Aoife on Twitter.

Direct Provision is a broken system and stain on Irish society. Established in 2000 as a temporary measure, the system has existed for 20 years now creating massive barrier for those stuck in it to get out and establish themselves in the Irish state. A commitment has been made to overhaul Direct Provision in the lifetime of the next government but it remains to be seen how long this will take. So how do we dismantle it and what system should take its place? Joining Rachel from Ballyhaunis Direct Provision Centre is Owodunni Ola Mustapha to explain what it's like to live in Direct Provision for 6 years and from Dublin, writer Dean Van Nguyen on what should happen next.Follow Ola and Dean on Twitter.Donate to Black Pride Ireland, MASI and MERJ.Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

June is usually Pride Month but this year with the pandemic, the Pride parade and many of the Pride events around it had to be cancelled. This has allowed a bit of time for LGBTQ+people to pause and reflect around what Pride means to them and what it should look like when it returns. LGBTQ+ activist and writer Sam Riggs is one of those people. He joins Rachel to discuss Pride in its current form, the increase in the presences of corporations at Pride, the damage done to the trans community by the recent rights rollback in the UK and why a float blaring Mr Brightside, isn't exactly the worst idea for a Pride float.Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshackFind Sam at @samwhatislife on Twitter.

Cauvery Madhavan arrived in Sligo, Ireland from India on Valentine's Day 33 years ago. Since then she's lived in Dunboyne, Limerick before settling in Kildare, in a house right beside Rachel.  Her latest book 'The Tainted' is set in India in the 1920s and takes a fictionalised view of an actual mutiny that took place by the Connaught Rangers. She joins Rachel and Tony for a crossover episode with The Echo Chamber to discuss her latest book as well as Indian politics and how her community in Straffan, Co Kildare became her family. Follow Cauvery on Twitter @CauveryMadhavan You can buy 'The Tainted' here. Donate to Black Pride Ireland, MASI and MERJ. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Hazel Chu first came to the attention of many when she was elected to Dublin City Council in Pembroke back in 2019. She received 3,000 first preference votes as well as a lot of media attention. Unfortunately, this media attention has led to an increase in the amount of racist abuse that Hazel receives both online and offline. She joins Rachel via Zoom to discuss what it was like to grow up in Ireland on the receiving end of racist abuse, her approach to dealing with it online and why she feels that Ireland has a long way to go in terms of tackling racism. Follow Hazel on @hazechu. Donate to Black Pride Ireland, MASI and MERJ. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

The reaction to the murder of George Floyd by white police officers has caused protests around the world. Yet some people have asked why Irish people are getting angry and upset about it. While we may not have a tradition of police brutality, Ireland has its own problems with racism, problems that we have yet to address. How do we address it? We start by listening to Irish people of colour about their experiences. Nic Ndlovu came to Ireland from South Africa when he was 4 years old. He joins Rachel on the pod to discuss the microaggressions he has encountered throughout his life, what it's like to be followed around a supermarket by a security guard when shopping and dealing with racism both online and offline. This is an intense and uncomfortable chat and we need to be having more of this so we can address the problems in Irish society. Black Lives Matter. Follow Nic on Twitter. Donate to Black Pride Ireland, MASI and MERJ. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

At some point in our lives, we will probably end up caring for a family member. It may be a short term solution but more than likely, it could end up being a full time or nearly full-time role. It's a job that is emotionally, physically and psychologically taxing on both you and the person you're caring for and oftentimes, the government supports are either too hard to access or just simply not enough. Chair of the Queer Greens and freelance journalist Robert O'Sullivan is one of these carers. He joins Rachel to discuss what his day to day life looks like while caring for a family member and what it's like to be rejected for carer's allowance from a system that doesn't seem to care for its carers. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack You can follow Rob on Twitter here.

The week Disturbing the Peace was delighted to take part in a crossover pod with our sister podcast Glow West with Caroline West. Myself and Caroline had the pleasure of interviewing dildo slinger and female entrepreneur Shawna Scott of Sex Siopa. We had a chat about her business during the pandemic, the quietest vibrators that you can get and how boiling your dildo is a great way to check if it's safe to use or not. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack Follow Shawna on Instagram and Twitter. Follow Glow West on Instagram and Twitter.

When you hear the word 'addict' what do you think of? Is it someone injection heroin on the streets? Someone drinking cans in the middle of the day? Someone who struggles to hold down a full time job? Often our understanding of the word 'addict' is misinformed or downright incorrect and Brian Pennie is the perfect example of this. He joins Rachel via Skype to discuss his heroin addiction, rehab, how he turned his life around to become a neuroscience lecturer and researcher in Trinity College Dublin and writing his new book 'Bonus Time'. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Our relationship with sex and sexuality is constantly evolving which means our relationship with intimacy must be too. Since we've all been in lockdown, it hasn't been as easy to see our partners, romantic interests or hook ups. So, we've had to get creative and start doing a lot more sexting. But how important has sexting become to relationships as a whole? And what is the difference between good sexting and bad? Joining Rachel on the pod to discuss the ins and outs (steady) of sexting is Twitter Love Island creator and all-round good-egg Ellen Reid. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Having to constantly be your own advocate is exhausting but for many transpeople in Ireland, it is the only way they get heard. Trans healthcare in Ireland is dire. So much so that transpeople are having to crowd fund for their medical needs or doing it DIY, which can have dangerous consequences. Joining Rachel via Zoom (with apologies for the occasional poor call quality) is Rían Browne who set up his own fundraiser so he can travel to the UK for top surgery. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

When you're young, there seems so much to protest and be active in that it can be hard to focus on one thing. Youth mental health is in crisis in this country with services oversubscribed and nowhere to turn to. Men, in particular, are struggling with suicide rates nearly 4 times higher than women. So how do you be active in so many areas and look after your own mental health too? Joining Rachel in studio is journalist, writer and activist Conor Kelly. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

If you ask Graham Merrigan how long he's been in a wheelchair, he might respond 'since 8 am this morning'. It's one of the hundreds of things he has to put up with as a wheelchair user in Ireland which accessibility is rarely the top of any politicians agenda. He joins Rachel from his house to chat the disability rights, the League of Ireland and how he founded his own wheelchair basketball team. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

The Leaving Cert is a stressful year but students sitting Leaving Cert 2020 have a whole new set of problems facing them. Nobody is sure what's happening if the exams are going ahead or how the CAO system will work if the exam is postponed or cancelled. This is, of course, stressing out thousands of students who are doing their best to finish their courses on their own and study in stressful environments. So what do they want to happen? Joining Rachel via Zoom to share their concerns are Mohammed, Abbie and Emily. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

'You're just PMSing' is a common phrase thrown at those on their period when they appear tetchy or emotional. Unfortunately for a small cohort of people, the monthly symptoms that come along with their period can include severe depression, anxiety, severe fatigue and paranoia, otherwise known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD. Joining Rachel via Skype to discuss their experience of living with PMDD is researcher and advocate, Shubhangi Karmakar. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Friend of the pod Michael Fry is back to chat to Rachel about the UK response to the coronavirus, the reaction to his 'Loose Women' video and what it's like to have your flatmates walk in on you when you're trying to film a video of yourself singing songs from Alive-Oh. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

As week 2 of the general shutdown comes to a close, we decided that we'd dive into the topics that really matter at a time like this. So how are people feeling about Tinder? We were delighted to welcome back our favourite Tinder correspondent Ciara Dunne as well as stand up comedian Linda Hayden to get their view on what's going on, how people are adapting to video call dates and the strangest interactions they've had so far. Follow Ciara on Twitter: Ciarabelles Follow Linda on Twitter: LindaOkayThen Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Martin, Rachel, Caroline, Ruth and Tony talk Comrade Britney, social distancing, the Covid-19 elephant in the room, the bare necessities and ways to get that beach body in time for summer, 2022. Not for little ears, but we had a great laugh. Join: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Rachel, Martin, Rory, Tony and our newest member, Caroline West, got together via Zoom this evening to talk Covid-19, Air BnB, Housing, Tinder and Caroline's new podcast, Glow West. We discuss the need to look after our most vulnerable and how there's always room for some social distancing laughs. Mind yourself and yours! Join us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

We often say that young people should get involved in politics. Tate Donnelly decided to take it a step further and become the Green Party candidate in Cavan/Monaghan in #GE2020. He joins Rachel in studio to discuss why he decided to run for election, what he learned on the campaign trail, 4am abusive calls and living on adrenaline for the entire campaign. Follow Tate on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/TateForTD Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Having completed a Masters in Sexuality Studies and currently completing his PhD that studies how masculinity was measured and conceived in Irish literature, it's safe to say that Loïc Wright knows a lot about masculinity. He joins Rachel in studio to discuss why the term 'toxic masculinity' doesn't really explain the many different masculinities that exist as well as how he addressed his own feelings around masculinity, destructive behaviour and opening up. Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

When Robbie Lawlor was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 21, he wasn't sure where to go or what to do in terms of support. He wasn't sure how people would react and what his life would look like now. 8 years on Robbie has become an advocate for HIV healthcare in Ireland as well as revealing his status on the Late Late Show. He joins Rachel in studio to discuss the current HIV crisis in Ireland, the different kinds of stigma people with HIV suffer and how he's become the person he needed when he was 21. You can follow Robbie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Robbie_Lawlor Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack

It's hard to be positive about the climate and the future of the planet at the moment. Everything you read about climate change can be very overwhelming and leave you wondering what the point of anything is. Luckily Joanna O'Malley isn't one of these people. She's set up a group called Preserve Ireland who want to show everyone the changes they can make to help. She joins Rachel in studio to discuss why she set up the group, what she wants to achieve with it and why you don't need to be an expert on climate change to get involved. You can follow Preserve Ireland Twitter: https://twitter.com/IrelandPreserve Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preserveireland/?hl=en Become a Tortoise Shack patron - visit www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack